← Her Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing
Her Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing
277 | The Best Shoes for Fall 2025: From Jeans to Dresses, What Works With Everything
00:21:23
We all know fall fashion is fun. You’ve got your layers, the cozy textures, the rich and luxurious hues. But the shoes? The shoes are where the magic happens. They ground your outfit, they can change your vibe instantly, and they have the ability to...
Loading summary
Transcript1 lines
- [00:00]
A
We all know fall fashion is fun. I mean, you've got your layers, the cozy textures, the rich and luxurious hues. But the shoes. The shoes are where the magic happens. They ground your outfit, they can change your vibe instantly, and they have the ability to make you feel practical, powerful, or playful in a split second. And this season, we have a lot of amazing options and trends to choose from. Today, I'm breaking down the top seven shoe styles you'll be seeing everywhere this fall. And more importantly, how to know which ones will work best for you, your body, and your lifestyle. If you've been wondering what kind of footwear to invest in right now, what's worth skipping and how to actually pair them with all the different bottoms in your closet, it's time for us to dive in. Welcome to her style podcast, where we're all about empowering you to show up and get dressed every with confidence. I'm your host, Heather Riggs, a 15 year and counting certified image consultant and color specialist. Ready to build a wardrobe and a personal style you love. Let's get started. I will tell you the number one thing on my shopping list this season is shoes. So maybe this episode is a little bit self indulgent, but I wanted to figure out how to maximize my own shoe budget this season, and I had a feeling maybe you do too. A lot of pairs in my own shoe collection are looking rundown or they're just not working optimally for my outfit. So I know for me, it is time for a footwear upgrade. And if you're in the same boat or if you're just curious about what's trending right now, or if you're looking for some tips to better style the shoes and the boots that you already have in your collection, then I think you are gonna love what's in store for you in this episode. I wanna start first by breaking down what I'm seeing as the top seven shoe trends for the fall. And I also wanna share as we go along, the basic pros, some of the cons, and the considerations that I want you to keep in mind for each style. Because we never wanna just blindly follow the trends. We wanna strategically choose and and style the ones that are going to work best for us. So I do want to help you personalize this information. As always, let's go ahead and dive into some of the key trends that we're seeing for footwear this fall. Let's start with pumps. Number one. These are a classic, versatile shoe that can instantly polish up any outfit. And this season, they are anything but boring. We're seeing them in deep, rich jewel tones, suede finishes. There's a lot of sleek peep toe styles coming out right now and some with sculptural heels that really help you to feel fresh and modern. So if you have a dramatic style, there are ways to make your pumps speak volumes in your outfit. And I think that the reason why pumps work so well is because they go with just about everything. You can wear them with dresses, trousers, skirts, even your jeans if you want to elevate a casual look. I think that's so key for date night. Or if you just want to feel a little bit more put together off duty on your weekend outside of the office. I think the only real drawback can be comfort, depending on the heel, height and practicality. So if you know that you're going to be running around, I do recommend that you opt for a mid heel or a block heel because they're going to be more wearable for a full day on your feet. Obviously, if you spend most of your time chasing your little ones around at the house, it's probably not going to be something you'll want to invest in this season. But again, it can be a really easy way to elevate any outfit. I'm going to give you a quick flattery tip for this too. If you want to elongate your legs, then it's smart to look for pumps in a similar color to your pants or one with a low vamp, if you're not familiar with that term. The vamp is simply the part of the shoe that covers the top of your foot, so the lower that line sits, the longer your legs are going to look. Okay, next up on my list are ballet flats and their cousin, the Mary Jane. This one's a two for one and I know that both of these can feel a little girly, but this season they are looking much more structured. I want you to picture them in chic fabrics, pointed or almond shaped toes and elegant details. And I think the pro here is probably pretty obvious. They're very comfortable, they're easy to wear day to day, super practical, but stylish shoe. You could throw them on with jeans, trousers or even a midi skirt and look inside. Instantly pulled together. Now, the con is that some styles can visually shorten your legs, especially if the toe is really rounded or the vamp like we just talked about is cut high across the top of your foot. So if that's a concern for you, then I want you to look for more of a pointed or almond toe style. To help elongate the line of your leg. Mary Janes can add a really sweet vintage feel to your outfit. But just keep in mind that anytime you're wearing ankle straps, even though they're adorable, they can also cut off the line of your leg, especially if your legs are on the shorter side. Now, if you love them anyway, then what I want you to do is just lean into tonal colors that are going to blend in with either your skin tone or the tights that you're wearing. This will help to, again, increase the length, the visual length of your leg, because we're not going to get that harsh divide there at the ankle. So choose a color that works with your skin tone or the tights that you're wearing for a nice, smooth, seamless look. All right, let's talk about boots. Specifically slouchy boots. These are everywhere this season in suede and leather finishes, and they bring a cool, relaxed vibe to your outfits. They're going to add some nice texture, movement, and even a little bit of drama to your outfit all at once. Now, the pro of adopting the slouchy boot trend is that they're very versatile. You can wear them with dresses or skirts. You can tuck your skinny jeans or leggings into them for a very current look. I know. Who would have thought? Tucking your jeans into your boots is probably a trend that we thought we'd never see again, but it has made a giant comeback this fall. So slouchy boots are going to add a little softness and dimension to your outfit without making it look like you're trying too hard. And, of course, the con is that they can add some bulk around your calf and ankle area. So if you are petite or you're curvier, that extra volume might feel a little bit overwhelming for your frame. So the trick is all about creating good balance. I want you to try to pair your slouchy boots either with a shorter hemline so that it helps to elongate your frame, or you could choose a slimmer shaft boot for a sleeker effect. You don't have to go oversized and slouchy. You could keep it on the more minimal side for a better look. Okay, next up, number four are loafers, which are really a classic shoe, but they have been so trendy the last couple of seasons, and this is basically your work to weekend hero, especially if you love a really traditional style. They're polished, but still comfortable. And this season, we're seeing both classic and softer, more flexible versions. Now, the pro to a good loafer is that they're so adaptable. They will work with trousers, jeans, even a great dress if you want that modern, preppy vibe. They're also great for those days that you want to look put together but you don't want to wear heels. Now, I do think the con to loafers is that really flat or chunky ones can feel heavy, especially if your outfit is already structured. And they can lean a little bit masculine if the proportions aren't well balanced. If your style is more feminine, or if you're on the petite side, then I want you to go for a sleeker, softer version with a slimmer sole. If you have a dramatic or creative personal style, or if you're on the taller side, then I do think that a chunkier lug sole is going to look amazing for you. It's going to add some edge to your look, and you could definitely play around with some different styles for for your loafers. Okay, now let's talk about what's number one on my shopping list, which is a good slipper mule. And if you're wondering exactly what makes a shool a shoel that's my way of combining shoe and mule. If you're wondering what makes a shoe a mule, it's very simple. A mule is any shoe that is backless. It's usually closed at the toe and open at the heel. So that's what's going to give them their effortless slip on and go vibe. This is a really practical option for you for the fall. It's chic, it's transitional, and it's going to pair beautifully with cropped trousers, midi skirts, and dresses. You can just again slip them on and instantly your outfit is going to look more stylish and intentional. Of course, the con to that is that mules can visually cut off your leg line if the vamp or again, the part of the shoe that's covering the top of your foot comes up too high. And if the color is too high of a contrast with whatever pants you're wearing, or of course, if you are doing something more cropped and it's cutting off the line of your leg. So if you want to keep that lengthened look, then I suggest that you go for a pair in a nude or skin tone related color or the same hue or a similar hue as your pants. That way you can really keep your line long and fully uninterrupted. Okay. The next one's super fun. Number six is statement textures and prints. And this season we're all about animal prints, embossed leathers, Exotic finishes. Shoes are the perfect place to experiment with things like this because they can add some personality to even your simplest outfit. And if you want to play it safe, you can keep the rest of your look on the safer, simpler side and then just let your bold, dramatic shoe take center stage. Now, the pro here is that they instantly make a basic outfit pop. I just want you to picture jeans and a simple white T shirt with leopard print flats. I mean, so chic, right? Or a little black dress with an embossed croc pump. I mean, immediately elevated and current. Now, the con to these is versatility. So if your closet already has a lot of color or bold prints, then a statement shoe like this could start competing rather than complementing your existing clothing. I would say, just as a quick tip, leopard, believe it or not, can act as a good neutral. So this is an easy print to mix and match with other prints with other colors in your wardrobe. It's going to play really well with denim, black, cream, all those jewel tones that are trending this season. So if you do want to try playing with the statement textures and animal print trends, then I would suggest that you maybe stick with a good classic leopard, which is going to be wearable and timeless. And finally, our last big shoe trend of the season are sneakers. I don't know if sneakers are ever really trending, because we always need a good pair of sneakers for those quick runaround days, even if you're headed to the gym or you just want kind of that athleisure look for the weekend. That said, retro, core, inspired sneakers are still going strong, and they are not just for casual looks anymore. You could pair them with tailored trousers, dresses, or skirts for that cool, high, low mix that we love. The pro here is obvious. I think they're comfortable and easy to wear. They're going to bring some everyday wearability and keep your outfits really grounded. So if you do need a practical shoe, I think it's a great investment to always pick up a pair of sneakers that feel a little bit fun for this season in some of your best colors and that make you excited to get dressed, even on those casual days. And the con is that they're not always office friendly unless you style them really intentionally. And some of the chunkier versions can overwhelm you if you're petite or they can feel too casual if the rest of your outfit isn't elevated. A low profile sneaker is probably the most elongating and versatile. But if you want something a little edgier, you could go for a chunky sole and then balance it with some slim or structured pieces up top so that you don't get swallowed up. So let me give you a few tips to figure out which shoes to pair with what because that's the other side of the coin. It's like, okay, we know these things are trending, but how am I supposed to pair them up with the pieces that are in my closet and how do I make them work for my day to day? So I'm going to give you a quick cheat sheet. I hope you're ready to take notes. I would say that pumps and loafers are your universal go to's. Honestly, they are going to work with everything from your favorite jeans on the weekend to a polished suit for the office. They are going to again instantly elevate any outfit. Your ballet flats and Mary Janes are going to lean a little more feminine and casual and I think that they'll work best with jeans and dresses, especially when you want to look pulled together without feeling too overdressed. Slouchy boots Love flowy dresses and skirts. I think they create lots of nice movement. They add a touch of drama. Now technically they can overwhelm trousers, but if you are someone who's really trend forward, you don't mind making a statement or taking a risk. Then you can also try tucking your jeans into a pair of slouchy boots. That's one of the most current looks of the season if you really want to stay ahead of the trends. And of course sneakers are going to be your outfit simplifiers. They will instantly tone down tailoring. They'll make your dresses feel more everyday ready. And so if you want to soften an outfit that feels too formal, just swap in a pair of trendy sneakers and you will have nailed it. So again, just quick tip think of it this way. Pumps and loafers are your go anywhere heroes. Flats and boots are your style statements. And then sneakers are going to give you some laid back polish. So always keep in mind what you want to communicate with your outfits and then reference your seasonal style mood board for inspiration as well. If you want to type in some of the pieces that are in your existing wardrobe, get some ideas of great shoes that you could try with them. Or if you invest in a pair of shoes, look up some different outfit ideas so you can get some ideas of what to pair them up with that might already be hiding in your closet. I'm going to leave you with a couple of smart shopping and investment strategies because I don't want to tell you what to buy and how to wear it. I also want to help you think more intentionally about what you're bringing into your collection and why. So if you only add three pairs of shoes to your wardrobe this fall, my universal recommendation, which I don't often do, I like to personalize everything. But just the best general tip that I can give you about what to invest in would be to make them a pair of pumps, a pair of loafers or flats, maybe ballet flats if you prefer more feminine looks. And then a pair of boots. And here's why I think pumps are a timeless investment and they will help you easily dress up any outfit. Loafers or flats are going to cover your everyday comfort and style, and boots are going to be your cold weather workhorse. I think it's really nice to always have a great pair of boots to slip on for those colder days. Or again, if you just want to dress up an outfit, whether jeans or a dress, it's such a versatile option for your wardrobe. So with those three, you will have every outfit covered, from casual to professional to dressy to weekend wear. And of course, take that with a grain of salt. I want you to deviate if those don't work with your personal style or with your lifestyle. So think about those things too. But that's my general recommendation. Have one pair that's really classic and elevated, one pair that's all about comfort and style, and another that is going to help you keep warm and hopefully maximize some of those transitional pieces like the dresses and skirts that you are maybe more hesitant to wear without a little extra leg coverage. And when it comes to figuring out trends versus those timeless staple pieces, my golden rule is to invest more financially in the timeless staples that you'll be able to wear for years, like a quality pair of boots, leather pumps, sleek loafers, those things that never really go out of style. And then when it comes to the trends, like slipper mules, statement prints, bold textures, things that are really of the moment, but maybe not as long standing. I think it's better to try them at a lower price point so that you can have some fun in the season ahead without regretting dropping a whole lot of money if they don't stick around long term. And then before you buy, just as a quick test, I think it's smart to ask yourself, can I wear this shoe or boots with jeans, a dress and trousers? If it only works with one, it might not be worth it. Unless you're planning to live in dresses all autumn long and all you care about is finding shoes that will work with your dress collection. That's a different story. But if you do have a lot of different types of bottoms in your closet, then I think you want to make sure the shoes that you're buying will work with at least two categories, such as jeans and work trousers or skirts and, I don't know, leggings or joggers. Just make sure that you compare them with different things in your closet so that you're not pigeonholing yourself and only investing in a shoe that's to going going to work with one type of outfit. Versatility is always a bigger winner, and I'm going to give you a couple quick flattery checks just to leave you feeling really confident again with your styling. And remember, the lower the vamp, generally speaking, the longer your legs are going to look. Again, the vamp is the part of the shoe that covers the top of your foot. And the lower that line sits, the closer it is to your toes, the more it's going to visually elongate your legs. So again, think pumps, ballet flats or sneakers with a lower cut. If you have longer legs or you want to break up the appearance of your lower half, you could do something that sits a little bit higher. That's maybe in a contrasting color if you want to achieve the opposite effect. Shoes that blend in with your skin tone or the color of your pants are going to help to create one nice long line without any visual break, which is going to make you look taller and a little bit leaner. And then a thicker solar platform can add a really trendy modern edge and help balance volume in oversized outfits. But if you are on the petite side or if you have a more delicate frame, they can feel a little bit heavy. So I do want you to just keep your overall scale and proportions in mind when you put your outfits together. And I don't know if we can consider this a Her Style podcast episode if we don't touch quickly on color. So I do want to let you know that the number one fall shoe color that will work on everybody is a deep chocolate brown. It's softer than black, it's more versatile across warm and cool wardrobes, and it looks just as chic with denim as it does with dresses or trousers. Chocolate brown is everywhere this fall, so it is a great time to stock up on this, especially if it relates to your hair color, if it relates to your personal coloring in any way. I think this is the time to invest in some chocolate brown shoes, boots, whatever feels best for you. And then if you do want to add a little bit more personality or color to your shoe collection. You could also try burgundy this season Season. It's a really versatile neutral with a twist. It's elevated and chic and it's going to be flattering for nearly every color palette as well. It's going to work nicely with black pants, dark brown pants, navy. Again, it's just a really great neutral color that still brings a little bit more life and interest than the basic black pump you might normally gravitate towards. So here's the quick recap for you. I know we covered so much in this episode, but the fall 2025 shoe trends are fun, they're versatile and and they can completely shift the way that you show up for your day. I want you to focus on one or two staples to invest in. Maybe pick a trend to play with if your budget allows and lean into timeless colors like brown and burgundy that are also still really trendy right now so that you can get some good maximum wearability in a way that feels totally current. And remember, the right pair of shoes doesn't just finish your outfit, it does really impact how you carry yourself. If you're looking for more personalized support with choosing the best trends and staples for your wardrobe, then come join us inside her style collective. This is my 90 day group coaching program where I will help you create a wardrobe where every piece, including your shoes, feels intentional and works perfectly for you and your real life. You can get more details@herstyle llc.com collective or you can come hang out with us in the free Her Style Facebook community and let me know which shoe styles are going to make their way into your shopping list this month season. All of the links are available for you in the Show Notes. As always. All right, I can't wait to meet you back here later this week for our next monthly listener Q and A episode. How are we almost into October? This is Crazy Pants Friend. Thank you so much for joining me today and happy shoe shopping and styling. I hope you're feeling so much more confident about putting your outfits together flawlessly this fall. Thank you for listening to today's episode. If you want to stop copying everyone else's style and start dialing in your own swoon worthy signature look. Head over to take my free 5 minute personal style quiz which you can find at the link in the Show Notes. If you've enjoyed our time together, please be sure to rate, review and subscribe to Her Style podcast so you never miss an episode. Finally, I invite you to make this a two way conversation and send me a DM over on Instagram @heatherriggstyle to let me know how I can best support you on your style journey. I'm always here for you in style and service. Until next.